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Eastern Washington names field for Titans’ Roos

Mountain View grad made large donation for unique red turf

The Columbian
Published: May 22, 2010, 12:00am

CHENEY — Eastern Washington will rename its football stadium for Michael Roos, a former Mountain View High standout who donated $500,000 to buy new red artificial turf.

The stadium has been called Woodward Field since 1937, in honor of former football coach and physical education department head Arthur C. Woodward.

Roos is a former Eastern Washington offensive lineman who now plays for the Tennessee Titans. He and his wife, Katherine, donated about half the cost of the new red turf, which is to be installed this summer.

A plaque commemorating the 73 years the stadium was called Woodward Field will be erected.

Eastern made the announcement following naming approval by the EWU Board of Trustees that is contingent upon project completion.

The Board of Trustees commended the Roos family’s philanthropic efforts on behalf of Eastern and the community through the Michael Roos Foundation.

Roos is a starting left offensive tackle for the Titans, and has started every game in his five-year career. Roos excelled in the classroom as well, graduating with a double major in finance and economics.

Roos, a second-round draft pick of the Titans in 2005, became the second Eastern Washington player in school history to have his jersey number permanently retired.

In 2008, Roos was selected to his first career Pro Bowl and was named first-team Associated Press All-Pro after helping Tennessee’s offensive line allow an NFL-low 12 sacks.

“We are thrilled to be able to acknowledge in this manner the incredible contributions Michael and Katherine have made to Eastern Washington University,” Eastern athletic director Bill Chaves said. “We felt this was the most appropriate honor we could give them, but at the same time, we regard highly the legacy left by Mr. Woodward. Regardless of the name change, we will permanently remember the Woodward family at our stadium.”

The stadium originally was located where EWU’s library now stands, but was moved to its present site in 1967.

Woodward was Eastern’s head football coach in 1927 and 1928. He was head of the department of physical education and health for 23 years from 1927 to 1950. Woodward died of a heart attack on Feb. 2, 1950.

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